
Now up and running for the season is the city of Benton Harbor’s Summer Youth Employment Program.
Benton Harbor City Manager Alex Little tells us they’ve run the employment program for several years now, using federal Community Development Block Grant funding to employ about 25 young people so they have something positive to do for the summer. The students work Mondays through Thursdays, usually cleaning up at city parks.
“We keep them busy and give them a little work experience so they understand what work is about and they get to make a little money to buy their school clothes and things with,” Little said.
Little says the students are generally paid $10 an hour, and he hears from graduates of the program who tell him it was a great experience.
“Having been around quite a long time, I run into grown-ups all the time who will tell me, ‘Mr. Little, I know you don’t know me, but I was one of your Summer Youth Program years ago.’ Yes, that happens all the time, and it’s a good feeling.”
Little says they’d like to hire more than 25 young people, but only 15% of CDBG dollar can go to things classified as services. The city uses that 15% each year for the Youth Employment Program and to deliver meals to homebound seniors.
As the summer continues, residents can expect to see youth crews out and about, often in parks, contributing to a cleaner and more vibrant Benton Harbor.
Any young people interested in taking part in the program should contact Benton Habor High School, which connects the city with the students it hires.